Toxoplasmosis in an Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)

Toxoplasma gondii infections in fish-eating marine mammals is intriguing and indicative of contamination of the sea environment with oocysts. Toxoplasma gondii was identified in an elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) that had encephalitis. Tissue cysts were found in sections of cerebrum, and the diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining with T. gondii–specific polyclonal rabbit serum. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in an elephant seal.